january 7, 2021 | issue 34 bishop mcdevitt students and
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January 7, 2021 | Issue 34
Bishop McDevitt Students and Staff Ramp Up Efforts to Present 200 Gift Bags to Hospital Staff
By Jen ReedThe Catholic Witness
The front-line staff at Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center in Camp Hill received a well-deserved morale boost in time for Christmas, thanks to the generous efforts of students and staff at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg. Christian Charity Sisters Mary Joseph Albright, Vice President of Mission Integration at the hospital, and Carol Schuyler, social studies teacher at the high school, live in the convent at the medical center. They recognized that the staff could benefit from a pre-holiday pick-me-up. “Care for the patients is uppermost in the mind and heart of administration, physicians and employees throughout Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center. Our hospital staff strives
to provide the best care to every patient, every day. The COVID pandemic has stressed them physically, spiritually and emotionally, though they continue to deliver care heroically,” said Sister
Mary Joseph. She and Sister Carol turned to Bishop McDevitt’s Christian Service Club and Student Council for help. The end result: 200 goodie bags filled with snacks and cards of encouragement and appreciation for hospital employees. It was a remarkable collection, considering that the clubs had just one day to produce 200 handwritten cards and collect money to purchase the
snacks – the school community donated $300. The project was initially planned as a weeklong collection, but the efforts were shortened to one day as the school turned to temporary
Jen Delp, Student Council moderator; Sister Tracey Uphoff, IHM, Director of Student Activities; and Ann Carbon,
Christian Service Club moderator, delivered the boxes of goodie bags to Holy Spirit Hospital on behalf of Bishop
McDevitt High School.
COURTESY OF ERIN DAVIS, BISHOP MCDEVITT
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The mission of The Catholic Witness is to be of personal and practical help as we try to be loyal and true witnesses for Christ in our daily living, spiritual and temporal, in private and in public.
Publisher:The Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer,DD, JCL, Bishop of Harrisburg
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By Rachel Bryson, M.S.The Catholic Witness
The Diocese of Harrisburg is pleased to announce that Mr. Scott Udit has joined our team as the new director of Buildings and Properties. A member of Saint Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish in New Cumberland and a third degree Knight of
Columbus in Council 8921, Udit is looking forward to supporting the parishes, Catholic schools and the Diocese with their facility needs. Udit began his new role with the Diocese on January 4. In this position, he will manage the properties owned by the Diocese; provide technical advice and support for the buildings and grounds at over 100 parishes and schools; supervise the Diocesan-wide asbestos management program; manage the facilities staff, including the Diocesan-wide shared maintenance program; and oversee and approve the planning, design and construction of projects, including working with architects, engineers and contractors. “My role is to support the buildings and grounds of our schools, parishes and the Diocese as a whole. I’ll be involved with vendor contracts, maintenance and risk assessment,” Udit told The Catholic Witness during an interview on his first day. “I am hoping to use my background and knowledge to be of service to our parishes, schools and ministries.” Udit has more than 20 years of experience and multiple certifications in the buildings and grounds field. Most recently, he was the director
of buildings and grounds for the Central Dauphin School District. “I view this role as one of support. What we do to support the buildings and properties of our parishes, schools and the Diocese allows each of those groups to focus more on their goals and ministry,” he said. “I look forward to supporting and learning more about our parishes and schools. There are a lot of parishes I’ve never visited. I look forward to learning more about the strengths and opportunities for our parishes and how I can assist.” Udit added that in addition to looking forward to working with the parishes and schools in the Diocese, he is also excited to be in a position where he can marry his work and faith lives. “I was intrigued when I first learned this position was open. I’ve never worked anywhere where I could marry my professional life with my faith life. I love my faith and I love this Diocese and I very much enjoy the profession I’ve chosen. The position appealed to me for those reasons,” said Udit. Udit and his wife, Dorothy, have two grown daughters and are looking forward to becoming first time grandparents in February. To learn more about the Office of Buildings and Properties, please visit www.hbgdiocese.org/about/diocesan-offices/buildings-and-properties.
Scott Udit Joins Diocese as New Buildings and Properties Director
Reverend Pang S. Tcheou, currently pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Mount Joy, has been granted permission by Bishop Ronald Gainer for a personal leave of absence.
Clergy Announcement
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Catholic News Agency Catholic bishops condemned pro-Donald Trump protesters’ incursion that penetrated the Capitol Building Wednesday as Congress debated the certification of the presidential election results, leading to the evacuation of lawmakers and – as of press time Thursday morning – the deadly shooting of one protester by law enforcement. “I join people of good will in condemning the violence today at the United States Capitol,” Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Jan. 6. “This is not who we are as Americans. I am praying for members of Congress and Capitol staff and for the police and all those working to restore order and public safety.” “The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation,” he added. “In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God.” Bishop Ronald Gainer of the Diocese of Harrisburg, also issued a statement that day, saying “My dear brothers and sisters, I urge you to join me in praying for peace for our country after today’s events in our nation’s capital. We experienced many challenges during 2020 and with this new year, we have new opportunities to come together and find peaceful resolutions to these challenges. I pray you will join me in asking our Lord to guide us as we respond to these challenges and to bring faith, hope and love back to our land. May God bless us and may Mary Immaculate intercede for us with Her Son.” The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Twitter account said, “Lord God of peace, hear
our prayer.” Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore called the protests “shocking and unlawful.” “We fervently pray for peace and for God’s
protection over our country, our lawmakers, and all those in harm’s way this terrible day. May peace-loving Americans of good will throughout the United States come together to engender peace, reconciliation and healing in our wounded and broken nation, which remains and must always
be one, under God,” he said. The protests seeking to overturn the presidential election results followed various claims that the presidential ballot results in some states were fraudulent. More than 150 Republican lawmakers sought to question the legitimacy of election results in some states, but Vice President Mike Pence, who can vote to break ties in the U.S. Senate, refused any suggestion that he act to block certification of the election. Some protesters clashed with police, while others intimidated capitol guards into retreating without significant contact. Some protesters attacked news media, while dozens of others pressed forward into the Capitol Building in defiance of capitol police, breaking windows and forcing open doors. Lawmakers took shelter, sometimes in their offices, and put on gas masks after security used gas masks in their defense, the Associated Press said. Protesters occupied the office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the chambers of Congress.
U.S. Catholic Bishops Call for Peace after Protesters Disrupt Capitol
Supporters of President Donald Trump protest
outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
ALEX EDELMAN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
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January 7, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 4
distance-learning shortly before Christmas. Club leaders sprang into action on Friday, Dec. 11, with students collecting monetary donations during homeroom and gathering fellow classmates to sign freshly-printed cards during lunch. “I am very thankful to the members of the student body who stepped up to help with this project on such short notice,” said Christian Service Club president, Megan Waning. “Many of the students wanted to write more than one card, and they were all very eager to step up and help brighten the lives of the front-line workers,” she noted. “Many teachers even stopped by to write cards, and it was exciting to see the overwhelmingly positive reaction of the student body to this project.” Ann Carbon, moderator of the Christian Service Club, said
she was “impressed with the students and their willingness to contribute, especially since we had one day to get everything together.” “I can’t think of a better project for us to do right now than to thank our healthcare workers,” she said. Carbon and Jen Delp, Student Council moderator, purchased the individual snacks, including granola bars, fruit packs, chocolate, chips, peanuts and protein bars. Teachers and staff who were in the school building during the temporary remote learning days volunteered to pack the snacks into bags for individual workers. Carbon, Delp and Sister Tracey Uphoff, IHM, co-moderator of the Christian
Service Club, loaded the bags into Carbon’s car and delivered them to the medical center. Sister Mary Joseph and another employee distributed the treats
to the various units and teams providing care to COVID patients. Recipients included physicians, nurses, pastoral care chaplains, palliative care providers and social workers. “It was a thrill to see the joy that the goodie bags and thank-you messages provided to those who received them,” Sister Mary Joseph said. “Everyone was truly grateful to be remembered by the community. Our senior leadership administrators were likewise grateful that Bishop McDevitt High School acknowledged in such a thoughtful and practical way our Catholic hospital for their exemplary service to patients of the community.”
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Bishop McDevitt students Cecilia Nguyen and Monique Garbanzos collect monetary donations and greeting cards for front-line workers.
Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center staff show appreciation for the
goodie bags.
January 7, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 5
“We have such beautiful, dedicated employees and we were so grateful that they received acknowledgement for the care they provided to patients. For our administration team, that was the best gift ever, a wonderful Christmas present,” Sister Mary Joseph remarked. Students also found reward in giving. “I felt it was super crucial to spread cheer with the front-line workers because 2020 was a rough year for most of the world, especially our front-line workers, so I knew the least I could do was donate and write positive messages to let them know that we appreciated them more than they’ll ever know,” said Christian Service Club member Vivian Lam, a junior. “I was very proud of our McD family for really showing what the true spirit of giving and what Bishop McDevitt represents,” she added. “I knew that even with the little time we had to get everything done, we could count on the wonderful students. I’m very privileged and proud to be a student
at Bishop McDevitt because we always get to do fun, but thoughtful, activities like this and make a difference in the community.” Ynhu Tran, also a junior, said, “I feel that it is so important to share cheer with the front-line workers because of their hard work and passion to put their lives at risk to help the lives of others. Especially in the time of COVID, with the high risks they could receive, they are working endless hours with caring hands and hearts. The littlest possible thing we could do is to show our gratitude, cheer and prayers to them.” “I am not surprised that our McDevitt family could sign 200 cards in a day because I know at McDevitt we are taught to always help others in our faith and family, and to strive for excellence,” Ynhu added.
Students of Service The Christian Service Club has nearly 100 student members. Typically, the students volunteer at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank; the Breakfast with Santa event at
Holy Name of Jesus and the Oktoberfest gathering at St. Catherine Labouré, both in Harrisburg; Lower Paxton Township’s Easter egg hunt; and the United Way’s Day of Caring. Due to the pandemic, they weren’t able to participate in those efforts this year, Carbon said, but they have been able to help in other ways. They’ve given hours at the Manna Food Pantry in Penbrook through its distanced food distribution; assembled word search and crossword puzzle print-outs into decorative packets for seniors at two assisted-living centers; and assisted with cleaning requirements and Christmas tree decorations at the school. “The Christian Service Club’s mission statement is based on Matthew 25. Through our activities we strive to live the teaching of Jesus that ‘Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me,’” Carbon said. “The activities of the CSC also reflect the mission of Bishop McDevitt High School, to ‘graduate well-rounded Christian men
and women committed to living moral lives of holiness, integrity, justice, and responsible citizenship, she added.” Megan and Ynhu said they’re involved in the club and its activities because of their passion for serving others. “My favorite part about helping others is the joy on the faces of those whom I have helped when their lives have been impacted greatly by our service,” Megan said. “I love seeing how my small acts of kindness can have great impacts on those around me, and I have found myself dedicated to creating more good in the world.” “I love to help others in our own community, right here in Harrisburg,” Ynhu said. All in all, CSC is not just another extracurricular activity but a way you can help others and use the hands and heart that God has given you to provide for others in physical and spiritual ways.” (Learn more about Bishop McDevitt High School at www.bishopmcdevitt.org.)
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By Jen ReedThe Catholic Witness
The Diocese of Harrisburg’s commitment to the highest standards of good stewardship, accountability and transparency in the financial gifts it receives from the faithful were reaffirmed with the recent release of the Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) Annual Diocesan Online Financial Transparency Study. This study, conducted each year by the independent VOTF organization, reports on the financial transparency of dioceses and archdioceses throughout the United States. In 2020, the Diocese of Harrisburg received a total score of 86% out of 100%, maintaining its score from 2019. The VOTF report identifies those U.S. dioceses that are working toward enhanced financial transparency. Financial transparency, the report says, “can help address an array of problems that emerged within the Church in recent centuries” and also “guards against fraudulent diversion of donated funds by clergy or by laity.” This marks the fourth financial transparency study completed by VOTF. The report reviews a range of criteria through a 10-question worksheet, with each criteria adding a certain value to the final score. Some of these criteria include how accessible the financial information is; if the posted reports have been audited; if information is available on the annual appeal and the programs it supports; if members of the finance council and accounting staff are listed; if financial policies are posted; and if collection counting policies are posted. The Diocese of Harrisburg maintained its score from last year, despite being unable to publish its financial statement due to the ongoing bankruptcy process which began in February. As stated on the Diocesan website, “Consistent with its policy of providing financial disclosure, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg has worked hard for many years to provide financial transparency. On February 19, 2020 the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Due to this ongoing process, we are unable to release financial statements for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 until this process is complete. The financial records of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg will be made available through these proceedings. All documents related to the bankruptcy can be found at https://dm.epiq11.com/case/rcdh/info.”
“We remain pleased with this year’s results as cited in the VOTF report. While our overall score remained the same, improvements in certain areas were offset by our inability to
provide audited financial statements due to the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings,” said Donald J. Kaercher, chief financial officer for the Diocese. “We look forward to the time when the Diocese emerges from bankruptcy and we can resume our regular financial reporting. We also applaud VOTF for their work in promoting and improving financial transparency across dioceses. In Harrisburg, we remain focused on and committed to the same standards and financial transparency promoted in the report.” The 2020 review process began on June 1, 2020, and ended on August 31, 2020. Three independent reviewers conducted the review, with each reviewing all 177 diocesan websites. According to the report, the overall average diocesan transparency score dropped slightly from 65.11% in 2019 to 64.76% in 2020. The average score in the key area of audited financial reporting increased from 15.73 to 16.19, however. Other findings in the VOTF report include:
• 70% of U. S. dioceses have exhibited a commitment to financial transparency by sharing audited financial reports on their websites, up from 65% in 2019.
• Several dioceses achieved significant increases in financial transparency in 2020 while others share little or no verifiable financial information with their members.
Five dioceses that received a perfect score of 100% were the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska; the Archdiocese of Baltimore; the Diocese of Erie; the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; and the Diocese of Rochester, New York. The complete 2019 VOTF report is available online at http://www.votf.org/FWG%202020%20Report%20for%20Website.pdf.
Diocese Upholds 86% Score in Annual Financial Transparency Rating
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At least one bomb was found at the headquarters of the Republican National Committee in D.C., at least one other device was discovered on the U.S. Capitol grounds, and a suspicious package at the Democratic National Committee headquarters was under investigation, the New York Times reported. Pence called out the National Guard to support law enforcement in the capital. After the capitol building was secured, Pelosi recalled lawmakers to certify the election results. Another bishop who spoke out against the protests was Bishop Frank Caggiano of Bridgeport. “There are few words that can describe the shock I feel to see our Capitol Building occupied by violent rioters. As Americans, we should be deeply disturbed to see an important symbol of
freedom and liberty in our nation violated in such a way. Our nation is better than that,” he said on Twitter. “The peaceful transfer of power is one of the most important and revered aspects of our democracy,” he continued. “We must recommit ourselves to the values we hold dear as Americans: democracy, freedom, and peace.” “As people of faith, we condemn violence in all its forms as a moral betrayal of the Gospel,” he said. “We also know that our nation needs prayer, now more than ever, so that we may always remain one nation, under God.” The bishop asked people to join in prayer for the U.S. “during this unprecedented and frightening time in our history.” “Let us pray for peace in our communities, in our capital, in our Country, but most of all, in our own hearts,” he said.
By Courtney MaresCatholic News Agency
Pope Francis warned against the temptation to ignore the suffering of others during the coronavirus pandemic and said that things will get better in the new year to the extent to which the needs of the weakest and most disadvantaged are prioritized. “We don’t know what 2021 has in store for us, but what each of us and all of us together can do is to commit ourselves a little more to take care of each other and of creation, our common home,” the pope said in his Angelus address Jan. 3. In the live video broadcast from the Apostolic Palace, the pope said that “things will get better to the extent that, with
God’s help, we work together for the common good, putting the weakest and most disadvantaged at the center.” The pope said there is a temptation to take care only of one’s own interests during the pandemic and “to live hedonistically, that is, seeking only to satisfy our own pleasure.” Pope Francis addressed a special greeting to “those who begin the new year with greater difficulties,” mentioning the sick and the unemployed. “I like to think that when the Lord prays to the Father for us, He does not merely speak: He makes Him see the wounds of the flesh, He makes Him see the wounds He suffered for us,” he said. “This is Jesus: with His flesh He is the intercessor, he
wanted to bear even the signs of suffering.” In a reflection on the first chapter of the Gospel of John, Pope Francis said that God became man to love us in our human frailty. “Dear brother, dear sister, God became flesh to tell us, to tell you that He loves us … in our frailty, in your frailty; right there, where we are most ashamed, where you are most ashamed. This is bold,” he said. “Without fear, let us invite Him among us, into our homes, into our families. And also … let us invite Him into our frailties. Let us invite Him, so that He may see our wounds. He will come and life will change.”
Pope Francis Calls for Commitment to ‘Take Care of Each Other’
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By Anita DiGregorySpecial to The Witness
On Jan. 4, the world celebrated St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s feast day and the 200th anniversary of her death. The first canonized saint born in America, Mother Seton (as she is still fondly known) remains a saint for our country, our world and our times. A convert, wife, mother and founder of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, the first community for religious women established in the United States, Mother Seton is today a beacon of hope in a time of pandemic, isolation and uncertainty. The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md., commemorated this momentous anniversary with a Mass on Jan. 4 celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Archbishop Lori, who at the time of her canonization was studying to become a priest at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, recalls the day she became a saint. He and his fellow seminarians helped the Sisters of Charity coordinate the celebrations in Emmitsburg. “Looking back on it, I’m not sure that we were much help to the sisters,” joked Archbishop Lori. “But I certainly remember how happy we were, how excited we were that a saint, who so loved Emmitsburg, and who so loved the grotto, and who knew our seminary, …was the first saint born in the United States, we were so excited about all these things unfolding before us.” Throughout 2021, the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton will host a year-long celebration honoring this anniversary and “Two Centuries of Charity.” This month, the Shrine premieres the new and inspiring film, “Elizabeth Ann Seton: Seeker to Saint.” Following its premiere on EWTN, this film can be viewed free of charge at the Shrine or virtually at www.setonshrine.org/200years. Featuring cinematically beautiful reenacted depictions of her life intertwined with expert analytical commentary, this moving 15-minute film on
Mother Seton reintroduces this “saint of our times” and her legacy to new audiences. Additionally, every Saturday throughout the winter, the Shrine is hosting free tours of Mother Seton’s historic homes as well as exclusive, live virtual tours. They are also offering a free, downloadable, e-book entitled “The Spiritual Life of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.” This masterfully written summary of her physical and spiritual life examines how a beautiful, simple soul humbly yet joyfully walks the road to sainthood and illuminates the source of her sanctity. Those interested in learning more about Mother Seton may purchase a copy of the Shrine’s exclusive book, “Elizabeth Bayley Seton 1774-1821: Mother, Foundress, Saint,” at a discounted price. Updated and revised, this extensively researched definitive biography written by Annabelle M. Melville and edited by Betty Ann McNeil, D.C., helps readers more personally encounter the saint by interjecting direct quotes and writings of Mother Seton into the story of her life. The Shrine’s year-long celebration has a few surprises in store and promises some big news coming soon. More information on these and upcoming events can be found at www.setonshrine.org/200years. (Anita DiGregory is a member of 200th Anniversary Committee at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.)
200th Anniversary of Mother Seton to Be Celebrated at Shrine in Emmitsburg Throughout 2021
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Taken from Matthew 2:1-12, these are the words of the magi as they arrived in Jerusalem, looking for the infant Jesus to offer their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. As the Church marks the end of the Christmas season with the Feast of the Epiphany, we share photos from Diocesan parishes as they celebrated the Nativity. These pictures of stunning crèches, decorated sanctuaries and adorned altars were shared by parishes throughout the Christmas season. A stunning slideshow featuring these images and many other photos from our parishes is available on the Diocese’s Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/DioceseofHarrisburg, and website, www.hbgdiocese.org.
“We saW his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage”
Our Lady of the Visitation, ShippensburgImmaculate Heart of Mary, Abbottstown
Our Lady of Refuge, Doylesburg
Holy Trinity, Columbia Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cornwall
January 7, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 10
By Sister Geralyn Schmidt, SCCSpecial to The Witness
I sit here at my desk, back at the Diocesan offices after three weeks of being quarantined and working from home. What a journey. This year has been like none before it! I am sure you can agree As I prayed in front of our Nativity in the chapel, I thought about the beatitude “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Yes, I admit, this is truly a strange thing to think about at Christmas. But, this Christmas is like no other, and grief is all about us! We are all grieving the “normalcy” of a pre-COVID world. Yes, I too have felt this as well. Yet, if we get “stuck” there, we lose out on the grace of the moment, grace that will see us through to the end of this! What does this beatitude actually mean? Back in February 2020, Pope Francis had a general audience in which he discussed this beatitude in detail. To quote him, “This mourning, in the Scriptures, can have two aspects: the first is for death or for the suffering of someone. The other aspect is tears shed over sin – for our own sin, when the heart bleeds for the pain of having offended God and one’s neighbor. It is therefore a question of loving the other in such a way that we are bound to him or her until we share his or her pain. There are people who remain distant, one step behind; instead, it is important that
others make a breach in our hearts.”1
Please read the bold-face words again. The one thing that our COVID-ridden world is experiencing right now is pain and grief. But this is not new. Think of that first Christmas. Joseph and Mary, though living as husband and wife for only five months, had to take a perilous journey to a city in which they knew no one. If they had relatives there, wouldn’t they have gone to family after their journey? As they ventured out, think of the concern that Joseph had regarding food and water for his new bride and for the Child she carried. Relive his fear as he slept by the roadside as they ventured to Bethlehem and the worry he must have felt about where and when she would give birth to the Babe. How would he provide for her? Or perhaps consider his frenzy to find a safe place for her to give birth as her labor intensified. During the actual birth, Mary did not have the comfort of female relatives to assist her in her labor, but a man; though deeply in love with him, she had never given herself to him. He had to get very close and personal with her as she birthed the Child. Contemplate on the dream that Joseph had, in which the angel told him to flee in the middle of the night, for the very life of the Child was at stake. Or, think about his sorrow and heightened fear to hear the
news of the deaths of so many infant boys in the very town that they left. Grief and morning are the “warp and the woof” of that first Christmas. The story does not end there, but at an empty tomb. This Babe was born to die for our sins, giving us a chance for the eternal mercy and love of God! The suffering of this family bore for us a savior! So, cry, moan and shed tears! But, unite those tears with those who are less fortunate than you are. The strange thing about grief and mourning is that it tends to make us curl up into ourselves. But the mourning that I speak about here unites us to one another in a way that nothing else truly can. This oneness of heart turns the pain into comfort. We are not in this alone. We are united as one global family. Blessed are those who mourn, they WILL BE comforted! Indeed!
1https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12307
“Thoughts from a Catholic Evangelist”
United in Mourning
January 7, 2021 • The Catholic WITNESS- 11
Deceased ClergyPlease pray for the following clergy who died in January during the past 25 years:
OBITUARIESThe names of the following deceased persons have been submitted by their parishes. Please remember in your prayers the happy repose of these recently departed souls and the consolation of their loved ones.
Buchanan ValleySt. Ignatius Loyola:Francis HallEdna Showers
Camp HillGood Shepherd:Catherine FarkasGeorge KubulaEdmund TaranowskiThomas Deglmann
CarlisleSt. Patrick:Robert J. GriffinThomas S. Purvinis
ChambersburgCorpus Christi:Sharon RunyonJames DoyleBernard WashabaughRichard BrandtHelen FormanChristine HoffmanGeorge TerrazasDebra Abrahams
ColumbiaHoly Trinity:Joann Eck
DanvilleSt. Joseph:Nellie KrainakSandy O’RourkeKathleen Lehman
ElizabethtownSt. Peter:John Nauss Robert Butcavage
GreencastleSt. Mark the Evangelist:Dave SnyderShirley SnyderCatherine MorrisJoseph D. Emberson
HanoverSt. Vincent de Paul:Jean LaLotaVelare HoffheinsTeresa DonnellyJohn ConnorGerald McBride
HarrisburgCathedral Parish of St. Patrick:Eileen DavisRobert Moore
Holy Name of Jesus:Diana M. BurkeBarbara S. ZimmermanWilliam R. Keane, Jr.
St. Catherine Labouré:Elda Marchetti
LancasterSt. John Neumann:Joseph MolonyDorothy LisottoJoseph PiascinskiEleanor PiascinskiAndrew BoyleLucille MyersRobert Blowers
Lebanon St. Cecilia:Janet ReingShirley SchnellyAnna Carpenter
LewisburgSacred Heart of Jesus:Louis ErhardtJean DownsEdmund KienzleSusan Malone
McSherrystownAnnunciation BVM:Sylvia Krichten
MechanicsburgSt. Katharine Drexel:Ann Chiodi
MiddletownSeven Sorrows BVM:Elizabeth “Libby” LightnerArlene Gutshall
MillersvilleSt. Philip the Apostle:Agnes A. Elias
New CumberlandSt. Theresa:Mary Torretti
PalmyraHoly Spirit:David Angelo Merlo
QuarryvilleSt. Catherine of Siena:Betty Kreider
SelinsgroveSt. Pius X:Judith Moyer
Father Michael Homola, 2003
Deacon Ralph Runkle, 2005
Father Wallace E. Sawdy, 2006
Msgr. Francis Kumontis, 2009
Father Thomas F. Langan, 2012
Father C. Robert Nugent, 2014
Father Raymond Orloski, 2016
Msgr. Mercurio A. Fregapane, 2017
SteeltonPrince of Peace:Andrew T. BosakAlphonso (Zeffy) Penn
WilliamstownSacred Heart of Jesus:Jeff Kohr
YorkImmaculate Conception BVM:Theresa DreisbachPatricia SmeighIngrid Ramos-Abrego
St. Joseph:Loretta VotteroDavid CytackiPhyllis MunchelCharles “Chuck” AbbottElaine Campbell
St. Rose of Lima:Stephen RizzutoMary Kozuch
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Obituary:Father Thomas Marickovic
Father Thomas C. Marickovic, 67, of the Priests Retirement Residence in Harrisburg, died December 30, 2020 in UPMC Pinnacle Community Osteopathic Hospital. He was a retired priest for the Diocese of Harrisburg; a graduate of Steelton-
Highspire High School’s Class of 1971, Loyola University, Chicago 1975, and the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, OH. He was ordained a priest on May 16, 1981, at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg by Bishop Joseph T. Daley. Father Marickovic’s assignments included Sacred Heart of Jesus in Lancaster from 1981-83; St. Edward in Shamokin, 1983-85; St. Joseph in Coal Township, 1987-92; administrator of St. Ignatius, Centralia, St. Joseph, Locust Gap and Locustdale; Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Mount Carmel, 1992-
95; Sacred Heart of Jesus in Lewistown and St. Jude in Mifflintown, 1995-03; Chaplain at Geisinger Medical Center and Maria Joseph Manor in Danville, 2003-05; and Sacred Heart of Jesus in Spring Grove, where he retired as pastor in 2012. Father Marickovic was the son of the late John T. and Catherine M. Klobucar Marickovic, and is survived by one sister, Mary Ann Marickovic Borucki and her husband, Eugeniusz of Camp Hill. He was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Angeline B. Marickovic and his beloved brother, John J. Marickovic. Mass of Christian Burial was concelebrated on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. in Prince of Peace-Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, Steelton, with Bishop Ronald W. Gainer as principal celebrant. Burial was in the Priests Circle at Holy Cross Cemetery in Harrisburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Parish, 815 S. Second St., Steelton, PA 17113 or the Bishop Joseph T. Daley Seminary Scholarship Fund, c/o Diocese of Harrisburg, 4800 Union Deposit Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17111.
Obituary:Sister Catherine Therese Keller, OSF
Sister Catherine Therese Keller, OSF, died in Assisi House on December 24. She was 81 and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 60 years. Born Mary Elizabeth Keller in Reading, Pa., she entered the
congregation in 1957 and professed her first vows in 1960. She later earned a BA in English from Neumann University and an MA in Education from Providence College
in Rhode Island. She ministered primarily in education as both teacher and principal. During Sister Catherine’s 26 years in the Diocese of Harrisburg, she taught at St. Joseph School in York, Holy Trinity School in Columbia, and St. Joseph School in Lancaster. She also served as principal at St. Joseph School in Dallastown and St. Gertrude School in Lebanon. Sister Catherine Therese also ministered for five years in the Archdiocese of Mobile and for 27 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In 1988, she moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death. All services were privately held in Assisi House in Aston, Pa., on Dec. 30. Burial was in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston.
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DIOCESAN NOTEBOOK
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Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2022 with Father Michael Reid, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Hanover. Father Reid will lead a group of 24 pilgrims on an active and spiritual tour of the Holy Land, Jan. 31-Feb. 11, 2022. The 12-day itinerary organized by Select International Tours includes Mount Tabor, Nazareth, Cana, Galilee, Tabgha, Magdala, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Mount Carmel, Caesaria Maritima, Bethlehem, Shepherd’s Field, Jericho, Baptism Site, The Dead Sea (with optional visit to Masada), Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, Jerusalem, St Anne’s Church, and Ein Karem. Land and Air cost is $3,695; a deposit of $500 is required by Oct. 3, 2021. Flights depart from and return to Newark International Airport. For a brochure and other information, please contact Father Reid at 717-637-4625, ext. 113.
Women of Grace Foundational Study begins Saturday, January 16. Join this virtual study on Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Embark upon a journey of discovery and transformation as you explore the great call and gift of your femininity!
“Conquering Toxic Femininity with Mary, Mother of God” with Dr. Carrie Gress. A two-part Benedicta Enrichment Seminar online, Jan. 28 and 29 from 7:30-9 p.m. Register at www.womenofgrace.com. For more information contact Chris Arnold at [email protected] or 717-379-6041. St. John the Baptist in New Freedom is hosting a 12-week Surviving Divorce program which brings hope and healing to those who have experienced a broken marriage. Program begins Feb. 3 at 6:45 p.m., with sessions on Zoom. It includes 12 video presentations featuring a psychologist, priests and personal testimonies from Catholic men and women. Topics covered include shock and grief, anger and forgiveness, money issues, dealing with children and a former spouse, and annulment and remarriage. Program is based on the teachings of the Church and is open to anyone who needs comfort, counsel, and clarity after separation or divorce. For information, visit http://www.catholicsdivorce.com. A $25 fee includes the Surviving Divorce Personal Guide and all program materials. Please register for our program by Jan. 27 by contacting facilitators, Deb Cousin at [email protected] or Pat Smith at [email protected]. You will be given instructions on how to get your personal guide, and other pertinent information.
Crusader Girls Spring Softball registration in Lancaster is now open. Assembling teams for 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U for the spring 2021 season. All home games are played at St. Leo the Great in Rohrerstown. As a feeder program for LCHS, the program accepts girls from any parish in Lancaster County. The registration link can be found athttps://stleos.weshareonline.org/CrusaderSoftballRegistration SPRING2021. Registration deadline is Feb. 12. The Crusader program seeks to instill in the girls a foundation of faith and teamwork. Although we put competitive teams on the field, we also recognize that softball does wonders for the girls involved! It’s a great workout, improves self-esteem, is good for a girl’s mental health, promotes muscle development, lays the groundwork for successful interpersonal skills, and develops leadership skills. We anticipate indoor practices beginning in March.Need more information? Contact Ed Krow, Crusader Softball Coordinator, at [email protected]. National Education Contest of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Lancaster Court Queen of Peace #1023 of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas invites all youth in grades 4-12 from all schools
Education & Enrichment
Events &Fundraisers
Retreats & Pilgrimages
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to enter the National Education Contest. 2021 themes are “Let All You Do Be Done with Love” and “Show Love to One Another.” Enter one or more contests in art, essay, poetry, computer art, music and photography. Go to http://www.catholicdaughters.org/. Under Member Resources, select Forms, and go down to Contests for contest rules and details in
English or Spanish. Entries must be postmarked by or delivered to Margaret T. Giordano, Education Contest Chairman, 1530 Hollywood Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601 by February 1, 2021. All 1st place local winners will be entered in the state education contest, and 1st place state winners will be entered at the national level. An awards ceremony for local winners will be planned
for late May or early June 2021. Please feel free to leave a voice message at 717-390-9035 if you have any questions. St. John the Baptist School in New Freedom, Open House on Jan. 31 from 12:30-2 p.m. If you or someone you know is interested in a faith-based education for the 2021-2022 school year, this is the open house you’ll want to visit. We’d love to show you all we have to offer from small class sizes to rigorous academics. All Diocesan, CDC and Department of Health guidelines will be followed during this event. Please contact the office at 717-235-3525 with any additional questions, or check us out on our Facebook page @stjnschool or on our website at www.stjnschool.org.
Holy Name of Jesus School in Harrisburg has an immediate opening for a full-time computer teacher and school IT person. Candidates must possess academic excellence and a dedication to educating the whole child. Applicants for this position must be adept at developing lessons for Computer Technology. The IT position would include but not limited to network, hardware, database system, security, software programs, and technology support to faculty and staff. Teachers in the school work cooperatively to meet the needs of students. Interested candidates are to send their résumé to Sister Rita
Job Openings
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Principal Celebrant Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick • Harrisburg, PA
Live Stream Available: www.youtube.com/hbgdiocese
9 Days for Life Novena, January 21-29. Sign up today at www.9daysforlife.com
The Respect Life Mass is sponsored by the Diocese Office of Family and Respect Life Ministries www.hbgdiocese.org/respectlife
RReessppeecctt LLiiffee MMaassss On the 4th Day of the 9 Days for Life Novena, the Diocese of Harrisburg
will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for expectant fathers to lovingly support the mothers of their children in welcoming new life.
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at [email protected] or call Sister Rita at 717-657-1704. Undefeated Courage is seeking nurses to staff its mobile ultrasound unit. Shifts available M-F 8am-4pm, FTE: PRN with no maximum hours. Hourly rate: $22. PA RN license is required for this position. Must be trained in limited obstetric abdominal/transvaginal ultrasound or open to training. The mobile unit will be deployed to abortion clinics to change the way abortion-minded women look at their pregnancy. The mission of Undefeated Courage is to help women choose life for their baby and themselves. Undefeated Courage is a sidewalk advocacy organization in Central Pennsylvania that provides prayer, pregnancy testing, education on pregnancy, referral to local pregnancy care centers and other social/legal services outside of abortion clinics at no cost or judgement. A free ultrasound is an obstetrical tool used to evaluate the health of the pregnancy and can be a method for abortion-minded women to
make informed decisions about their pregnancy after reviewing their ultrasounds. Visit https://www.undefeatedcourage.org/employment.html for more information and an application. Schools in the Diocese of Harrisburg are currently looking for educators. Teachers in all grades and all subject areas are needed. Certification is preferred but not required. For more information or to find a school location near you, click on https://www.hbgdiocese.org/find-catholic-school/. Send your résumé and letter of interest to either the location near you or to [email protected]. You may also call the Harrisburg Diocese Department of Catholic Schools for more information at 717-657-4804 ext. 222.
To report suspected abuse of a minor,please follow these two steps:
Call the toll-free PA Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-932-0313
Report suspected abuse of a minor by a church official, employee or volunteer by calling the diocesan toll-free hotline at 1-800-626-1608
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE WITH BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE DIOCESE.Email: [email protected]
Diocese of HarrisburgYouth Protection Program www.YouthProtectionHBG.com
1 1-800-932-0313 2 1-800-626-1608
St. Joseph Parish in Lancast-er is seeking to hire a faithful and creative person who will provide administrative and secretarial support to our pastor and other staff in advancing the Mission and Vision of our parish to become and to make disciples of Jesus Christ. In addition, this position includes the responsibil-ity for implementing and main-taining a comprehensive parish communication and engagement plan. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher), social media, and website main-tenance, is required. Experience with databases is preferred. If you are interested in learning more about this part-time position, please contact Deacon Peter Jupin at 717-397-6921 or [email protected].
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